American Religious Heritage

American
Religious Heritage
By Group Bald Eagle:
Phạm Thị Ngọc Hương -18128065
Lê Thị Long -18128089
Phạm Hoài Khang -18128071
Nguyễn Kim Long -18128090
Ôn Gia Linh -18128085
Trương Minh Huy -18128067
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Part 1: Introduction

What is religion?
Religion in America
Religion in the United States:
• Diverse
• Christianity and specifically Protestantism is the
majority religion
• Over 40% of Americans said religion plays a very
important role in their lives
Major Religions
Christianity: 65% of Population
Judaism: 2% of Population
Hinduism: 1% of Population
Buddhism: 1% of Population
Islam: 1% of Population
• Largest Christian and
Protestant population
in the world.
“A Protestant Nation”
Part II: Characteristics
of American Religion

Main Characteristics
High adherence level. Diversity in religious beliefs and practices
Freedom of Religion
Different faiths and beliefs flourishes
Allows people to think, express and act upon what

they deeply believe without prosecution Protects all groups and individuals.
Right
Freedom of Religion
Duty
State views reasonably and respectfully
Religious Organizations Individuals

Religious Pluralism
Definition
• The state where every individual has the rights,
freedoms, and safety to worship, or not.
The rights and freedoms are guaranteed by the
First Amendment.
Religious pluralism only exists with

sustained and diverse religious
communities.
Religious Polarization
Definition
• The divisions created by differences in attitudes towards
religion within a population.
Causes:
 Religions compete, adapt
and evolve as people’s belief
diversified.
 A growing number of Americans,
especially young people, have
disavow religion.
Effects:
 More people find themselves at
opposite end of each spectrums.
 Moderates decreased.
“Culture Wars”
Part III: American Reli-
gious Heritage

Part IIIA: American
Protestant History

Origin in Europe
The Protestants first broke away from the Roman

Catholic Church because differences in religious be-
liefs.• 1517, Martin Luther challenged the policies
of the Catholic Church.
• He didn’t like the sales of ”Indulgences”,
the idea of buying your way to heaven.
Martin Luther
Origin of the “Protestant” Name

Luther protested against the Roman Catholic Church
Those who followed him are Protestants. The Empty Cross
Development of Protestantism
After breaking away from the Roman Catholic Church,
Protestants established different churches (Denominations).
Protestants
Baptist Methodist Presbyterian
Lutheran
Anglican United Church of Christ
Arrival in America
In the 1600s, there were a lot of religious conflict and prosecution in Europe.
Many colonial settlers came to

America seeking religious
Freedom.
At first, many denominations try to force their
views and beliefs but they failed.
This is because:
• The colonies were too vast.
• The idea of separation between
state and church were gaining
traction.
The establishment a national religion was
banned in the 1789 Constitution.
Protestants being burned at stake
for their faith
Consequences
A great variety of Denominations “Live and let’s live” attitude
co-exists with each others was accepted and strengthen
Part IIIB: American
Protestant Heritage

Self-reliance & Self-improvement
The Central Heritage of American Protestantism
Self-reliance
People are “Alone before God”
They are responsible for
their own lives.
Self-improvement
Human are naturally sinful
To become less sinful,
They must improve themselves. “God helps those who help themselves”
Material Success, Hard Work
and Self- Discipline
Material Success
The most apparent form of
self-improvement in America.
Reasons:
• America’s Protestant Heritage.
• Material possessions equals to
blessing from God.
“Godliness is in league with riches....

Material prosperity is helping to make the national character
sweeter, more joyous, more unselfish, more Christ-like.”
– Bishop William Lawrence, 1900
Material Success, Hard Work
, and Self- Discipline
Hard Work & Self- Discipline

Hard work: Self Discipline
Working diligently The willingness to
and vigorously. save and invest
money.
Holy Characteristics
“The Protestant/Puritan work ethic”

Hard work – Self-discipline - Pursuit of
wealth
Volunteerism and Humanitarianism
Self-improvement can also be achieved by devoting time and money to help others.
Contribution Channels:
Charities/ Donations Religious causes Educational causes
Wealthy Americans who gave a lot of money to charities:
John D. Rockefeller Andrew Carnegie
Bill Gates Warren Buffett

American’s Belief:
Giving to religious/ humanitarian causes:
Acceptance from God and other Americans.
“Volunteering boosts kids’ self- esteem

and teaches them to be grateful”
idealism Self-improvement
Part IV: American “Na-
tional Religion”

National Religion
Definition:
The mixture of patriotism and religious ideas.
Main functions:
• Support the dominant values and
actions of the nation.
• Provide comfort in times of
grief.
Negative Effect:
• Can be harmful to those
who don't conform with
national practices.
Examples:
Disagree with war equals "unpatriotic"
World Trade Center Attack
The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon

on September 11, 2001 had profound effects on
Americans:
• Most were very saddened by the event.
• They became very patriotic afterwards:
 Donations and fundraising for victims.
 Displaying the American flag.
 Singing patriotic songs.
Example of National Religion

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ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts

ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts

ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts

Allows people to think, express and act upon what

State views reasonably and respectfully

Religious Organizations Individuals

Religious pluralism only exists with

ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts

ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts

The Protestants first broke away from the Roman

Origin of the “Protestant” Name

Baptist Methodist Presbyterian

Many colonial settlers came to

ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts

“Godliness is in league with riches....

Hard Work & Self- Discipline

“The Protestant/Puritan work ethic”

John D. Rockefeller Andrew Carnegie

Bill Gates Warren Buffett

“Volunteering boosts kids’ self- esteem

ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts

The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon

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